Jerry Buss, center, stands between Kobe and Vanessa Bryant after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics to win the NBA title in 2010. Kobe is holding up the trophy he won as series MVP.

Jerry Buss, center, stands between Kobe and Vanessa Bryant after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics to win the NBA title in 2010. Kobe is holding up the trophy he won as series MVP. (Lisa Blumenfeld / Getty Images)

Coach Phil Jackson and owner Jerry Buss enjoy a Lakers victory party hosted by Buss and Jackson at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood on June 16, 2002. The Lakers swept the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals.

Coach Phil Jackson and owner Jerry Buss enjoy a Lakers victory party hosted by Buss and Jackson at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood on June 16, 2002. The Lakers swept the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals. (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

Mike Brown, left, the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, laughs with team owner Jerry Buss after Brown's introductory news conference at the team's training facility on May 31, 2011 in El Segundo. Brown replaced coach Phil Jackson, who retired at the end of the season.

Mike Brown, left, the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, laughs with team owner Jerry Buss after Brown's introductory news conference at the team's training facility on May 31, 2011 in El Segundo. Brown replaced coach Phil Jackson, who retired at the end of the season. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)